Tennessee-based big man Skal Labissiere shot up to No. 4 in Rivals’ latest update of the top players in the class of 2015, and now he’s inching closer to his college decision. On Monday, Labissiere announced the dates for his official visits to his final six schools. Labissiere will be choosing between Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgetown, Baylor, Memphis and Tennessee.
Skal Labissiere sets official visits: Handicapping the race for the top recruit
Labissiere will choose between Kentucky, Memphis, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgetown and Baylor.
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Labissiere took his official at North Carolina this past weekend. He’ll visit Georgetown on the weekend of September 12 and then make a trip to Lexington to check out Kentucky from September 19-21. Labissiere will be on Tennessee’s campus from Oct. 3-5 and visit Baylor the following weekend. He’ll also make an unofficial visit to Memphis to close things out.
Memphis has been considered the school with the inside track since Labissiere arrived in the United States from Haiti. One issue the Tigers may face is a glut of talent already in the frontcourt, with Shaq Goodwin set to be a senior by the time Labissiere arrives on campus and Austin Nichols heading into his junior season.
If Kentucky isn’t already considered the favorite, they’re next in line. Kentucky boasts a loaded front court this upcoming season, but there’s no telling how many players could leave for the NBA after this year.
Freshman Karl Towns is considered a lock to be a lottery pick, while Willie Cauley-Stein likely could have been one last year. That would leave Dakari Johnson at center and Trey Lyles, Marcus Lee and Alex Poythress at power forward. Each of those players is considered to have the talent to go in the first round of the NBA draft and it wouldn't be a surprise if any of them left school after this season. Kentucky only has one recruit, Chicago wing Charles Matthews, already locked in for the class of 2015.
Georgetown has put together a nice recruiting class in 2014 with Top 100 recruits Isaac Copleland, Paul White (both power forwards) and wing L.J. Peak. The Hoyas already have Jessie Govan, the No. 10 center in the class according to ESPN, locked up for their 2015 class.
North Carolina has yet to secure any commitments in the class of 2015, but welcomes a monster recruiting class this upcoming season. The Tar Heels could have a hole in the frontcourt if junior Brice Johnson leaves for the NBA. Sophomore Isaiah Hicks was another blue-chip recruit who plays in the front court and could come into his own during his second season in Chapel Hill.
Baylor already has one top 100 recruit locked up for the 2015 class with guard King McClure. Tennessee has secured two players so far, neither of which are in Rivals top 150.
Scouting report
Labissiere profiles as one of the most rare and valuable players on a basketball court: a shot blocker who can shoot. At 6’11, 215 pounds, Labissiere is a high-level athlete who can finish above the rim at one end of the court and contest shots at the other. He has the makeup of a future NBA player if he can add strength.
What sets Labissiere apart from his front court peers in the class of 2015 is his jump shot. He’s considered a better outside shooter than Ivan Rabb, Cheick Diallo, Diamond Stone and Chase Jeter, all fellow top 15 prospects in the class. Labissiere can knock down a 15-foot jumper without much trouble, a facet that will aid him immeasurably as he continues to get stronger to battle on the interior.
The favorites
There’s certainly a lot of time left for Labissiere, but it would be considered a surprise if he went somewhere other than Memphis or Kentucky. Labissiere’s relationship with Memphis dates back several years and he doesn’t live far from campus. Of course, Kentucky is Kentucky and it’s a virtual lock the Wildcats will still end up with one of the best recruiting classes in 2015 even if they’re off to a slow start thus far.
The dark horse here? A year in Europe. Labissiere acknowledged it’s a possibility earlier this summer.
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